The Irish unleashed!

The Irish are tough as nails in Saga.  Armed with javelins and a battleboard that amps up shooting, they'll bleed our an opponent with deadly missile fire. Sons of Dana allows them to shoot out of terrain even when they don't have a unit in it.  Imagine one minute you're walking next to some trees and the next, you've got a javelin in your backside!

When I start a new painting project, I'll often lead with my favorite unit from the bunch.  I love the energy of these Gripping Beast figures so they were the first on the painting table. The Irish can field up to 8 Irish Wolfhounds.  The hounds move as fast as mounted units and they're not slowed down by terrain.  That makes them a fast moving left hook and another reason to avoid terrain. Javelins and man eating dogs, how much worse can it get? Whenever I go against the Irish with my Vikings or Normans, it always turns out badly for me.

The tufts are from tajima1 and the plowed field is from Andrew's terra firma studios.  Shield transfers and the banner are by LBMS.  I kept the painting schemes fairly simple for the warriors, saving the tartan for the hearthguard in the next round.

Today, I ran a demo game of Saga at The Source Comics and Games with the Normans facing off against the Vikings.  There was a steady flow of onlookers to our table and I might have picked up 2 new converts to the system.  While it's a challenge to book a table at the store, the foot traffic and the compliments on my painting make it worthwhile!

Old West Civilians & a kick in the rear

Up today is the last batch of figures for Dead Man's Hand.  I was glad to find a woman in the lot.  In addition to her sterling figure, she was the perfect excuse to bust out Reaper's MSP yellow triad.  Once again, Great Escape Games has served up an eclectic mix of characters including Billy the Kiddie.  This was a fun set to paint and I'm looking forward to an Old West game down the line.

This week, I went into work only to learn that I'd been furloughed and had 30 minutes to shut down and go home without pay.  Since the furlough was a slow train coming, I'd already grabbed some painting contracts to stay busy. Never one to miss an opportunity, my wife also gave me a "Honey Do" list. Once I saw none of her "Dos" involved painting, I chucked it.  Kidding!  I'd like to remain a married man so I'll work on her projects as well as the Saga contracts.  I'm spending long hours at the painting table to keep from moping around the house. Thank goodness for this hobby of ours!  

Lawmen!

In the Old West, it was up to the lawmen to enforce the Rule of Law.  In those days, the Rule of Law sprang from the barrel of a Colt .45, AKA "The Handgun that Won the West. This tough looking crew is distinguished from the Outlaws and Desperadoes only on account of their badges.

Speaking of badges, "Knockin' on Heavens Door" seems appropriate right now.

"Mama, take this badge off of me,
I can't use it any more.

It's gettin' dark, too dark to see

I feel I'm knockin' on heaven's door."

Mama, put my guns in the ground

I can't shoot them anymore.

That long black cloud is comin' down

I feel I'm knockin' on heaven's door.